Consider the following data : Average marks in English | Average marks in Hindi Girls : 9 | 8 Boys : 8 | 7 Overall average marks : 8.8 | x What is the value of x in the above table?

1. **Analyze the Change:** Instead of calculating ratios using the Weighted Average principles usually seen in PYQs [1], let's look at how the marks change from English to Hindi.\n2. **Observation:** \n - Average marks for Girls dropped from 9 to 8 (Decrease of **1**).\n - Average marks for Boys dropped from 8 to 7 (Decrease of **1**).\n3. **Logical Inference:** Since the average for *every* subgroup (Girls and Boys) decreased by exactly 1 mark, the **Overall Average** must also decrease by exactly 1 mark. The ratio of boys to girls (weights) does not matter because the drop is uniform.\n4. **Calculation:** \n - New Overall Average = Old Overall Average - 1\n - $x = 8.8 - 1 = 7.8$.\n5. **Verification:** This aligns with the concept of the mean as a 'balance point' [8] shifting along the number line.